Fact Check: "One diver died during the dangerous recovery operation of the sunken superyacht."
What We Know
On May 9, 2025, a diver tragically died while conducting preliminary recovery operations for the superyacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of northern Sicily in August 2024. Local police confirmed the incident occurred while the diver was underwater in Porticello, although the precise cause of death remains unknown (BBC). The diver was identified as a 39-year-old Dutch national employed by a specialist salvage company (AP News).
The Bayesian sank during a powerful storm, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter, Hannah (CBS News). The recovery operation was being overseen by TMC Marine, a British marine consultancy, in collaboration with Dutch and Italian salvage experts (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that "one diver died during the dangerous recovery operation of the sunken superyacht" is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC reported the diver's death, emphasizing that it occurred during the recovery efforts for the Bayesian (BBC). Similarly, the Associated Press confirmed the suspension of the recovery operations following the diver's death, indicating that investigations were underway (AP News).
The diver's identity and the circumstances surrounding the incident were also corroborated by CBS News and CNN, both of which reported on the diver's employment with a salvage company and the ongoing investigation into the cause of death (CBS News, CNN).
The sources used are reputable news organizations with a history of reliable reporting. The information provided is consistent across these outlets, reinforcing the validity of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that one diver died during the recovery operation of the sunken superyacht Bayesian is accurate, as confirmed by multiple credible news sources. The diver's death occurred during the salvage operations, and investigations are currently ongoing to determine the cause.
